D723 - McWatters, Professor Keith - 1974 - 1995
The McWatters Papers include administrative documentation, professional and personal correspondence, lecture notes and academic papers.
| Main Creator: | |
|---|---|
| Archive level description: | Sub-sub fonds |
| Physical Description: | 4 boxes of manuscript and printed matter. |
| Languages: | English |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | The McWatters Papers include administrative documentation, professional and personal correspondence, lecture notes and academic papers. |
|---|---|
| Date: | 1974 - 1995 |
| Reference Number: | D723 |
| Accruals: | There are no anticipated accruals |
| Access Conditions: | Access is open to bona fide researchers. |
| Arrangement: | This collection has been arranged into two sections:
Although most papers have been arranged chronologically, correspondence and student applications have been compiled in alphabetical order, according to the sender/recipient's name. |
| Custodial History: | Previously in the custody of Mrs.P.McWatters. |
| Finding Aids: | A finding aid is available in the reading room. |
| Access Restrictions: | Reproduction and licensing rules available on request. |
| Biographical/Administrative Information: | Born in 1931 in Maryborough, Queensland, Professor Keith McWatters began his academic career in 1952 when he graduated with a First in Modern Languages and Literature from Queensland University. After lecturing for a year at Brisbane and then briefly working as both a schoolteacher and civil servant, McWatters embarked upon research in Grenoble, where he held a French government scholarship from 1958 to 1960, on Stendhal and the English novel, a subject which was to fascinate him throughout his life. In 1961, he was awarded a doctorate from the University of Grenoble. After three years spent lecturing in Brisbane, McWatters left Australia for Britain, lecturing at Leicester, then from 1965-1974 at Glasgow and finally at Liverpool, where he was appointed Professor of French in 1974 and James Barrow Professor in 1979, a position which he occupied until his death in 1995.Throughout his time at Liverpool, McWatters was a significant and valued member of the University community; serving as President of the Association of University Professors of French and Dean of the Faculty of Arts (1983-1986). However, in spite of such administrative responsibility, McWatters continued to focus upon research. Although his doctoral thesis was published as early as 1968, under the title: Stendhal, lecteur des romanciers anglais, it was not until 1980 that the first part of his lifetime's work, a seven volume edition of Stendhal's Chroniques pour l'Angleterre, which ambitiously made available a large quantity of Stendhal's journalism from the 1820s, appeared. Indeed, in recognition of this immense service to French culture, McWatters was appointed a Chevalier dans l'Ordre du Mèrite in 1989. |